When to change to Synthetic in Fiesta ST

[NHHEMI]

Originally Posted By: Vixenlotus
I have a brand new Ford Fiesta ST, and it came with MotorCraft semi Synthetic 5w20 from the factory. I now have 2500 miles on the car and am thinking about changing to Pennzoil Ultra 5W-20. Is it to early with 2500 miles? Should i wait a bit longer? By the way i did do an oil change at 200 miles with the MotorCraft.
Thoughts?
thank you THis is my first new car and i am also new to this Forum so go easy on me.


You can use synthetic at any time you want. You can even use synthetic as the 1st fill for a new/rebuilt engine. Many cars come with full synthetic as FF as well. The engine will still break in just fine. There is no reason not to use it until X # of miles are reached. That is old school thinking that is outdated and wrong.

You did an OC at 200 miles( that is a bit early truthfully even for removing break in debris )and you are now at 2500 miles. You can swap to Ultra if you want now sure and be just fine. You could have used Ultra back at that 200 mile OC too and been fine.

IMO I would do an OC right now regardless of the brand used as it is a good mileage to get rid of break in crud. I would do another at 5K to remove any remaining. Then start doing the interval length you want to run.

It is your call on using more expensive synthetic for such short intervals. It will harm nothing but by the same token it will add nothing either.

 

[fdcg27]

In the past, I've drained the factory fill at 1K, then run a 3K interval and then gone to normal drain intervals with cars we've bought new.
I didn't do this with the '12 Accord since Honda recommends specifically that the FF be run a normal interval.
Run your current fill to 4K and then go with whatever oil you want. You got out most of the excess debris with your 200 mile change.
You can switch to synthetic at any time or never.
You could register your new ride on the Pennzoil and Quaker State sites and get twenty dollar MIRs on QSUD and PP or PU.
You could then have a jug of each cheap to use for your next couple of oil changes.
Was the FF a normal oil color?
There have been reports here of some Ford FF oils being dyed a coolant color of green. I suspect that's to help verify that the FF hasn't been in the engine for 30K when a warranty claim involving the engine comes up.

 

[Vixenlotus]

So i did one more Change with normal Motorcraft semi synthetic today (wall-mart for $17 and $4 for a motorcraft filter). and will then move to Pennzoil Ultra at 6k. THe car has been running STRONG and not burning a drop of oil, the oil that came out of the motor still had the fresh amber color. I am also getting about 33MPG with mixed driving. I could not be happier with this car.